Gate valve



LSSZS@ J. H. FREEZE ct. l1, 1932.

GATE VALVE Filed/June 11. 1929 24hil Patented Oct. 11, 1932 Fries JOHNn. FREEZE, or CANTN, omo

Garn VALVE Application filed June 11,

My invention relates to gate valves and more particularly to gate valvesadapted for use in high pressure pipe lines.

The usual types of gate valves tend to stick a and bind in operation,require great effort to open and close the valve gates, and'tend to leakparticularly at the joint between the bonnet and the valve casing.

The objects of the present improvements 1o include the provision ofagate valve particularly adpated for'use in high-pressure lines, whichwill not stick or bind in use, which requires very little effort foropening and closing the valve gates, and which does not tend to leakunder high pressures. v

These and other objects are attained in the present invention, as willhereinafter be set fort-h in detail and claimed. l

A preferred embodiment of the invention 2o is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is averticalV longitudinal sectional view as on lines 1 1, Figs.V 2 and 4 ofone of the improved valves incorporated in i a pipe line, the valvegates being illustrated in the seated or closed position;

F ig. 2, a horizontal fragmentarysectional view thereof as on line 2-2,Fig. l;

Fig. 3, a fragmentary View similar to F ig.

3G l, with portions of the valve gate carrier block also beingillustrated in section;

Fig, 4, a fragmentary transverse sectional view as on lines 4-4, Figs. 2and 3;

Fig. 5, a view'similar to Fig.'2 with the valve gates illustrated intheunseated or open position;

Fig. 6, a fragmentary longitudinal secf tional view thereof as on lines6*'6, Figs. 5 and 7;

Fig. 7, a fragmentary transverse sectional View thereof as on lines 7 7,Figs. 5 and 6 and Y Fig. 8, a fragmentary sectional view thereof as online 8-8,Fig. 5.

Similar numerals refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views.

The improved gate valve is indicated generally at 10, and includes abody casing V11, which may be in the form of a T'as illustrated, and theends of the head 12-of the 1929. serial No. 370,640.'

T casing may be provided in a usual manner with internally thread-edports 13a and 13b, respectively, preferably coaxial with each other. Thethreaded end of a pipe 14a is l, screwed in Jthe port 13a, and thethreaded end 55l of a pipe 146 is screwed in the port 13b,

in theusual manner, one of the ports being an inlet port for the valveflow chamber 15 formed within the casing, and the other port being anoutlet port therefor, and the 6o pipes 14a and 14?) being sections ofany dev sired pipe line, which may be a pipeline conveying fluid at highpressure. Y

The stem 16 of the T casing includes an Q outer end 17, which isexternally threaded, contrary to theI usual practice of internallythreading the bonnet connection 0f a valve casing, and a bonnet 18 isyprovided with an internally threaded connecting end 19 which is screwedupon the externally threaded cas- 7U ing end 17.

, The T. casing stem 16 has formed therein a gate chamber 20 whoselongitudinal axis is preferably at right angles to the axis of the pipes14a and 14?), and the gate chamber ex- 75 tends from the outer extremityof the casing stem to an intersection and communication with the flowchamber 15. i

As best illustrated in Fig. 5, the gate chamber'20 is preferablyrectangular in cross section for reasons which will hereinafter appear.

The bonnet 18V includes a valve stem bore 21, a portion of which isinternally threaded as at 22, forengagement with the threads-23 formedon the central portion of the valve stem 24, which is Athus arrangedtobe .translated through the bore 21 in the usual manner by rotation ofthe stem. 96

The outer end of the smooth portion of the valve stein extends outsideof the bonnet in the usual manner, and is provided at its extremity witha hand wheel 25 for rotating the stem. A packing' box indicated gener-95 ally at 26 is also provided about the valve stem at the outerend ofthe bonnet. The inner end of the valve stem 24 is operatively connected,in a novel manner which willv hereinafter be set forth in detail, to anovel valve gate mechanism indicated generally at 30. Y.

The gate mechanism preferably includes a. mounting and connecting member31, from opposite sides of which preferably extend guide lugs 32a and326 4which slide in opposite parallel, guide grooves33a and 336, formedin; thezinner opposite side'Nsurfaces of the gate chamber 20parallelvvith the longitudinalaxis of the valve stem.

The mounting member 31 i has formed'= preferably A Y having a closedcircular cro-ss section vfor*y slidably receiving preferablyroundvportions therein a valve stem guideway 34,

35 of the inner end of the 'valve stem. Y

The innerend ofthe valve stem hasal'so formed thereon, preferablybetween the round portions, a conicallyfztapered wedge block actuatingAportion 36, the small end of which is nearest theinner extremity of thevalve stem. Y e

. At right angles to the valve steml guideway 34, the mounting member 31has formed therein wedgeblock guideways `37er/ and 376, whichlcommunicatewith and extend from opposite sides of the valve stemguideway, and which are preferably coaxial with each other and parallelwith the flow axis X-X of the iiow chamber15, which ,is itselfpreferably circular in cross 'section and coaxial with the pipes 14a and146.

rection of the axisr X- X of the flow chamber. f

"' The wedge blocks 38a and 386 are provided with inner bevel wedgeends39al and 396,'-

the slopesof which are'equal to the slope of the taperedv portionl36ofjthe valve stem, whereby when the wedge blocks are pushed towardseach other, their wedge ends will abut against the tapered portion ofthe valve stem, and any translatory movement of the valve stem'in theguideway 34 will cause a translatory movement ofthe wedge blocks rightangles to the valve stem movement.

As illustrated, movement ofithe valve stem towards the axis'X-Q-displaces the'wedge blocks with respect ,to each other, whereas movementof the stem in the opposite direction, assumingthat pressure is appliedto the opposite outer .ends ofv the wedgeblocks, will cause movement -ofthe blocks towards each other. f l

The outer endsof the wedge blocks extend beyond the opposite end facesofthe mounting member-, and are preferably Yprovided with the enlargedcircular heads 40a and 406,. '65 respectively, which fit into circularsockets formed in the outer faces of gate disks 41a and 416.

The opposite end faces 42a and 426 of the gate chamber 20, arepreferably finished at least adjacent the intersection thereof with Vtheflow chamber 15 for providing a seat against which the outer faces ofthe gate disks 41a -and1.416, may be abutted for vclosing thecommunication between opposite ends ofthe ow chamber when vthe valvestem is moved towards the axis X-X.

indicated, the gate disks are largerin diameter than the diameter oftheflow chamber 15, and lmay, thus fit over the opposite inneren'dsofthefportions 15al and 156 of the flow chamber at opposite sidesof the valve stem, provided that the mounting member has been moved sothat the disks are coaxial `with-the flow chamber.

Y The round portion 35 of ,the valve stem at the extremity thereof formsa hook head for Vengagement with the adjacent sides of the wedge blocks,whereby movement of the valve stem awayfrom the axis X-X caused bysuitablerotatonof the Ahand wheel 25, will first release they wedgingengagement of the tapered portion 36 ofthe valve stem against theopposite ends of the wedge blocks,where by the pressure in the pipeVline working against the opposite releases the same from their `closingengagement overtheopposite ends of the flow chamber portions 15a and156. o

- Further movementV of the valve stem causes the whole gate mechanism tobe bodily moved from its positionfin the flow chamber, into the gatechamber, permitting any desired Vdegree of flow through theflowvchamber.

- Thegate mechanism 30 ,is further provided with automatic latchandVstop means, indi cated generally at 50, for maintainingthe mountingmember, which isfslidable as aforesaid on the cylindrical portions 35 ofthe inner endof the valve stem, Iinlits extreme position of`displacement thereon away from the bonnet 18, except when the inner end51 of themounting member has been abutted against the outer end of aseat 52 formed within the casing 11 and extending from the inner surfaceofthe casing closure portion 53 for the end of the gate chamber. Thelatch and stop meansincludes a rotary latch and stop bar 54, which ispreferably rotatably mounted on the valve stem between themountingmember 31 andthe threaded central portion of thevalve stem. rlhe rotarylatch bar 54 is preferably rotatably mounted on a sleeve and-thrustbearing 55, and the inner en d of the valve stem is preferably reducedin diameter with respect to the threaded portion,'so that `a shoulder 56is formed between the threaded portion and the inner end of the valvestem, which extends through the sleeve and thrust bearing 55 carryingthe rotary .latch-bar- 54, so that the shoulder 56 faces ofthe gatedisks,

abuts against the adjacent end of the` hearing 55 The bearing 55 withits rotary latch arm is preferably removably secured ina fixedtranslatory position on the valve stern, as by means of a U collar 57which is seated ina neck groove' 58 formed in valve stem, and the Ucollar .57 provides a: stop for the end of the bearing' 55 adj acent theinner extremity of the valve stem.

it one side of the valve stem, a latch. foot 59 extends towards thevmountingl member from one outer corner 'of the face 60? of the latchbaradjacent the mounting member 3l; at the other side of the valve stem,pref` erably from the outer corner at the opposite side' of the latchbar, a similiar latchfoot 61 extends towards the mounting member'.

Accordingly when the latch bar is rotated to the position illustrated inFigs. 5, 6, and 7, which is the normal position of the latch bar exceptduring closure of the valve, the ends of the latch feet 59 and 6l rideupon the ad? jacent end of the mounting member, thereby maintaining themounting member in itsV extreme position of displacement on the valvestem away from the bonnet 18, with the taperedwedge `block actuatingportion 36ofthe* valve steml being in the relative position withyrespect tothe mounting member illustrated in 6l, whereby the wedgebloclrsare per mitted to movetowards each other and the gate'dislrs arepermitted to move towards each other to valve opening position, by theaction of the pipe linel pressure against the opposite gate disks.A

Thus maintaining the mounting member inits extreme position ofdisplacement with respect to the hand'wheel 25, permits the mountingmember to be moved to its proper position against the seat 52 before anyclosure movement of the valve disks can take place, thereby assuring theproper axial aline-nient of the valve disks with their seats at theintersections of the flow chamber with the gate chamber.

At one side of the Vvalve stem, means. are provided for applying a forcetending to move the latch the' mounting member, and' preferably includea plunger 62 which is slidably mounted in a bore 63 formed in themounting member, and the aXisof the plunger being transverse to the`axis of the valve stem.

The outer end of the plunger is provided with a head 64 and acompression spring65 is interposed betweenthe head and a suitableshoulder formed in the bore 63for normally pushing' the plunger headaway from the mounting member in a'cloclwise direction when viewedv asin Fig. 2. The head ofthe plunger abuts against a tongue 66 extendingfrom'one side of the` latch bar 54 towards the mounting member'.

The spring pressed plunger 62: thus always theinner end of the.

bar into stop engagement withV releasing the stop engagement of thelatch l feet with the latch releasing means preferably include a vslide' rod 67 preferably parallel4 with the valve stem, and operativelymounted?. a` suitable: bore 68 formed in: the: mounting member'.v

The end of the'slid'ef rod 67 adjacent the latch bar extends from themounting member and is provided with a preferably conical cam head 693 1compression spring 70 is loi cated within the bore 68 and actsbetweenashoulder 71 extending inwardly from the sure facev ofthe bore, and acol-lar 72 which is: preferably longitudinally adjustably mounted on theslide rod 617, as by means of a nut 73- screwed on a threaded portion 74of the slide rod. v

The sli-de rod extendswentirely through the mounting* member, anditsextrennty 75 opposite thev head 69 is arranged to be abutted mounting"member; and the against a seat 76 formed in the inner surface' Y of thecasing portion'53, for movingthe slide rod'v towards the bonnet againstthe action off the spring 70. Y'

The foot 61 is provided with an angled side face 77 adjacent the camhea-d69, whereby movement of the: cam head 69 towards the bonnetagainst. the sid-e face: 77, rotates# the'V latch bar-in acounter-'clockwise direction as viewed in. Fig. 2, so: that the latchswung out of engagement with the mounting member, thereby permittingAtranslate-ry movement of the inner end. of the valve stem within themounting member, thus causing the wedge blocks to be moved away fromeach other as aforesaid to seat the gate dis-k in valve closing positionas ilus-trated in'Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4. g

The improved Vgate valve thuis set forth in detail, isy very easy tooperate,l even in pipe lines transporting liquids containing grit,sludge and the like'. Y 4

In the operation ofthe valve, assuming the gate mechanifm 30"to beinopen position m5 j feet are ria as shown in Fig. 6 with the latchfeet-59 and rac Thezcam head-69`engages the sidefacef'? oft the latchbar 54 rotating itinjacounterlclock`f wise ldirection toithe postionshown in Figs.' 1 and 2. lnfthis position the latchvfeiet have moved outof engagement'with and over the adjacent edgesot the topfalce-ofthesmounto the screw causes the valvegstenii' to move carrying the latchfeet-.59 and tilbelow the top suraceofth-e mounting member andthe wedgeportion 36 of the ,valve stem forces the wedge blocks 3Saand 381ioutwardly and the.y

`il?) .into seating engagement with the endzta'ccs 42a and e2?) ofthegate disk-s 'Alle and chamber,` VVthereby` completelyi-closing theValve. A, During theintervalbetweenv fthe seating of the mountingmembenand before the gate: disks areseatedin .closing position,- thefluid pressure in= the pipe lineservesto swirl against the gate' disksand their seats'on the opposite ends ofthe iow chamberportions 15a and15b, cleaning the same from any grit; or sludge whichf have become-'lodged thereon.

. .Thenthewedge blocks movethe gate disks away from each other-,z andtightly .closing the valve,l with Vvery littlefmanualexertion on ji" InVopening' vthe "vali/ie,"vr the *handle is' op; positely'rotated and thepressurein"the line acting against the valve dish lllaiand lo -A holdsthe' mount-ing. member against movement while theY `valve'steni israised until the movement ofthe wedgeportion' 3G permits the pressurein`the line to movev theidisks 41a and 4l?) inwardly;y u The valve stemmoves upwardly until'the'lrollnd portion 35 thereof engages the wedgebl'cchsSSa and 3819, als .best shownV in` 6,'duringwhich time the latchfeet of the latchfbar 514C are raised a su'icient distance to clear thetop surface o-i the mount-l ing member: Further rotation-v o the'sc'rewcausesv hewhole gate mechanismto move upwardly ldue .to engagement ofthe-portion 85 of the stem with the wedge'blocks, thusmoving thefend ofthe' member 67` out ot abutment with 'the-iseat' and allowing the camhead '69 to return'to-itsoriginal position shown in Fig. 7,-whenthejplunger 'G2n will rotate the latch bar 154i ini afclockwise'direction until the shown 'invFifgs'fyd 7i and 8; f f f A t As'aforesaid opening ott-he' valveI isv very easy vbecause/.veryslightmovement' oi the on'thevalve stem,

bodily movement of, the valve stem and mounting member. ;l

face .7 7 f strikes 'the tip 'ot the Y cam :head v andthe- 'latch-bar isinf a positionessaies.

Vi claimt;

l l. A. gateV valve inoludinga body chamber,4 a valve stemmovablein thegate s chamber towards fand-'away from vthe .flow axis ofthe flowchamber, a mounting member carriedyby the `valve `stem within .the gatechamber 'and movable longitudinally Vof :the valve stem, gate meanscarried Vonthemountingm'ember andinovable towards and away from thevalve-stem,V means operable by movement of the valvestemin the mountingmember oremovin'g the gate meansv away Jfrom the valve stemforjclosinganadjacent end of a Howe chamber portion, a latch vrotatably mountedon`the valve stem for normally holding the'gmounting memberagainstmovement and means actuated by mounting member for rotating thelatch to permit movement ofjthe valve stemV in the 2. A gatevalveincluding a body casing, walls of the `'casing and a gate chamberintersecting the ow chamber, 'a' valve stemmovable in the gatechambertowards and away. from the iiow aXis of the iiow chamben. amounting member carriedby the valve stem within the gate chamberg-andmovable longitudinally of the valve' stem, gate members carried on themounting member at opposite sides of the valve stem and movable towardsand vaway from the valve stem, means operableby movement of the valvestem in the mountingmember for moving the gate membersA away/.from thevalve stem,` for-closing opposite ends ofiow chamber portions, a latchrotatablymountedon thejvalve stem for normally holding the.mountingvmember against movement on the valves'tem, and means; actuatedby bodily movementl of the'va'lve 'stem and mounting member .for'rotating' the latch to permit movement of the'valve stem in themounting member. f A

' 43. A gate valve including a body casing,

walls of the casingiorming a flow chamber and a gate chamberintersectingthe `flow chamber, a valve stem movable in the gate chamber'towards and; away from the flow. axisvof the flow chamber, a mountingmembercarried bythe` valve stem -within the gate chamber and valvestem,I gate means carried on the mountingmember and movable'towards andaway rom'the .valve stem, means operable by move' ment .of the stemfinthe mounting member for mov-ing thegate means away from the valve stemforclosing anadjacent end of a iiow chamber' .portiomr a latchvrotatably forming a flow chamber l ovablelongitudinally of the mountedon the `valve stem for normally holding themounting memberagainstmovement on the valve stem, means actuated by bodily movement t of Ythevalve stem .and

mounting member for rotating the latch to permit movement of the valvestem in the mounting member, and means urging the latch tothe positionfor holding the mounting member against movement on the valve stem.

4. A gate valve including a body casing, walls of the casing forming aflow chamber and a gate chamber intersecting the flow chamber, a valvestem movable in the gate chamber towards and away from the flow aXis ofthe flow chamber, a mounting member carried by the valve stem within thegate chamber and movable longitudinally of the valve stem, gate memberscarried on the mounting member at opposite sides of the valve stemy andmovable towards and away from the valve stem, means operable by movementof the valve stem in the mounting member for moving the gate membersaway from the valve stem for closing opposite ends of iiow chamberportions, a latch rotatably mounted on the valve stem for normallyholding the mounting member against.

movement on the valve stem, means actuated by bodily movement of thevalve stem and mounting member for rotating the latch to permit movementof the valve stem in the mounting member, and means urging the latch tothe position'for holding the mount ing member against movement on thevalve Stem.

5. A gate valve including a body casing, walls of the casing forming aflow chamber and a gate chamber intersecting the flow chamber, a valvestem movable in the gate chamber towards and away from lthe flow axis ofthe flow chamber, a mounting member carried by the valve stem within theate chamber and movable longitudinally of the valve stem, gate meanscarried on the mounting member and movable towards and away from thevalve stem, wedge means operable y movement of the valve stem in themounting member for moving the gate member away from the valve stem forclosing an adjacent end of a low chamber portion, a latch rotatablymounted on the valve stem and located above the mounting member fornormally holding the mounting member against movement on the valve stem,Vmeans actuated by bodily movement of the valve stem and mounting memberfor rotating the latch to permit movement of the valve stem in themounting member, and means normally urging the latch to the position forholding the mounting member against movement on the valve stem.

6. A gate valve including a body casing, walls of the casing forming aflow chamber and a gate chamber intersecting the iiow chamber, avalvestem movable in the gate chamber towards and away from the flow axis ofthe iiow chamber, a mounting member carried by the valve stem within thegate tatably mounted Von the valve stein and located above and mountingmember for nor,- mally holding the mounting member against movement onthe valve stem, means actuated by bodily movement of the valve stem andmounting member for rotating the latch lto permit movement of the valvestem in the mounting member, and means normally urging the latch to theposition for holding the mounting member against movement on :the valvestem.

VIn testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed myname.

JOHN H ,FREEZE i iai

